how to clean platypus bladder and tube

Yoyo

BPL Member

@dgposton

Locale: NYC metro

I've been using regular dish soap and water, but is there a better way to disinfect it (kill bacteria and viruses)? Lately I've been getting colds often, and I use my Platypus to drink from regularly (even day to day at work). Also, some of my older Platypuses (Platypi?) have started to accumulate discoloration and I've retired them for now out of concerns for mold, but I would like to maintain them in use as long as possible to minimize waste. Should I try a few mL of bleach every so often? Thoughts?

Bob .

BPL Member

@bcbob

Locale: Vancouver Island

See…
How do I clean my Platypus bottle or reservoir?
How do I disinfect my Platypus bottle or reservoir?
at Platypus FAQs.

Joe Lynch

BPL Member

@rushfan

Locale: Northern California

I've used drops of bleach to keep a platypus gravity filter clean for the last 4 years. I flush it at home after trips when the filter will go unused for a month or more. Not the same as every day use though. This has worked well for me.

Jerry Adams

BPL Member

@retiredjerry

Locale: Oregon and Washington

My Platypi get discolored after a few years. And maybe micro cracks or delamination of outer layer at the edges. I think the plastic just gets old at some point.

Chlorine Dioxide is a much more aggressive anti-microbal.

Oct 19, 2014 at 11:19 am #2142781

I use effervescent denture tablets. Usually 2 per 100L platy or camel-back. I only fill them about half with warm water and then push the rest of the air out. That way you have water on all surfaces. This has taken the stains/discoloration out of mine.

Oct 19, 2014 at 12:58 pm #2142804

10 percent bleach solution.

I never deliberately clean the bag. I do use Aqua Mira drops for some trips, so that probably helps. My oldest bag is 11 years old. I thinks storing them correctly is more important. I always inflate it and stand it up in a warm spot (but out of UV!) like a window sill and let all of the water drops evaporate. It takes a few days or more.

I've been using Platypus bladders for well over a decade.

I've cleaned and disinfected them using denture cleaning tablets.

I've cleaned and disinfected them using baking soda and lemon juice.

I've cleaned and disinfected them using a few drops of chlorine.

I've also cleaned and disinfected them by soaking them for 6 hours in a large stainless steel pot full of water treated with double the regular strength recommended Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets.

All have worked well. The bleach method, and Purification Tabs methods seemed to work the best. But the Purification Tablet method can get expensive when used regularly.

After disinfection, I dry them in my dehydrator on the lowest heat until completely dry, loosely roll them up, and store them in the freezer until use.

I have a large supply of them in 1 liter – 2 liter sizes, and rotate their use.

For daily use, you won't need to dry or store them. After disinfecting, simply fill them and keep them in the fridge until use. I would suggest cleaning them every day, and disinfecting them at least once a week for your regularity of use.

Hope this helps.